About this series: In "30 to Watch," we introduce readers to 30 people in the Greater Lafayette community who we think you should get to know. These are people who’ve made a difference, had a positive impact in the community or just accomplished something really cool. Each day in December (except Christmas Day) we’ll shine a light on someone that we’ll be watching in the year ahead.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Since 1976, the 10th seat on the Purdue University Board of Trustees has been reserved for a student, who gets full voting rights and a responsibility to speak up on behalf of the rest of the student body.

Daniel Romary, a biomedical engineering major from New Haven, will finish his two-year term, as appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb, in June 2019 as the 22nd student trustee in Purdue history.

Romary graduated with his bachelor’s degree in May and has continued research as a graduate student since then. In May, he earned the 2018 G.A. Ross Award, with Purdue presents annually to what the university considers to be “an outstanding senior man who has demonstrated high standards of academic achievement, outstanding leadership, strength of character and has made a contribution to Purdue.”

Question: Tell me how you wound up at Purdue.

Daniel Romary: I grew up just outside of Fort Wayne, having always been a Purdue fan. When I decided to major in engineering, Purdue was a logical fit in a location that was away from home, but not too far.

Q: What sort of expectations did you have coming to West Lafayette? And what has Purdue done to meet – and even not meet – those?

Romary: To be honest, I didn’t really have many. The city has been about what I expected – relatively similar to New Haven/Fort Wayne in many ways. I have been pleased with the academics at Purdue, and the people and experiences there have exceeded my expectations.

Q: What was your interest in getting a seat on the Purdue Board of Trustees?

Romary: Prior to my role on the board, I served in student government for three years. I found fulfillment in representing students and doing my part to make Purdue even better. When the opportunity to serve as the student trustee arose, I saw it as a chance to do those things at a higher level, moving from a suggestion maker to a decision maker. My predecessor (Cameron Mann) is also a good friend and mentor of mine, and I was intrigued by her role before applying.

Q: What was your reaction when you learned the governor had appointed you?

Romary: I was very excited when I got the call. And also humbled, because I knew how strong the applicant pool was. Thankfully this role has been a great fit for me, as I still get excited doing the day-to-day tasks of the role.

Q: How do you approach your role? And what sort of influence do you think you’ve had as a student among the trustees, which is a board that traditionally has been filled with a lot of powerful, strong personalities.

Romary: You’re absolutely correct that our board is full of outstanding leaders. I think I’m the only one who hasn’t been a chief executive of a major corporation. While that may seem intimidating – and it was at first – it has also made for an inspirational learning experience. The other trustees respect and ask for my opinions, and I make it a point to be involved with the conversations. While I share the perspective of a student who is on campus every day, I don’t limit my involvement to topics that affect students directly. Since I have the same voting power as the others, I also have the responsibility to do what’s best for the whole Purdue system on a wide variety of topics.

Q: What sort of time commitment has the trustee position been? And how do you manage that with your school work – or any spare time?

Romary: Between meetings, events and staying informed, the position does take a considerable amount of time. But I really enjoy it, so I don’t mind. I prioritize and schedule things so that it all fits in. This includes being intentional about time for relaxing, socializing, going to church, etc.

Q: What would be one of the biggest highlights of your time at Purdue? And as your time as a trustee?

Romary: Highlight at Purdue: When I won the G.A. Ross award last year. The Dean of Students along with a number of faculty, administrators and fellow students that I had gotten to know came into one of my classes singing “Hail Purdue.” I can remember reading about the winner my freshman year, thinking how incredible he was and doubting that I could ever be on that level. Receiving the award three years later was quite surreal.

As a trustee: Revealing the West Lafayette campus master plan. Many people put in a lot of work on the plan, but seeing the final product and knowing that I contributed to something that will affect campus for the next 50 years was very fulfilling.

Q: What are your plans once you graduate? And how will that experience with the Purdue trustees factor into your plans?

Romary: I plan to attend medical school as an immediate next step. Right now, I am interested in eventually practicing cardiac surgery; but given my experience on the board, I could see myself moving into some sort of a leadership role at a medical school, hospital or in public service after practicing for a while.

Reach Dave Bangert at 765-420-5258 or at dbangert@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @davebangert.